Philippines History

The Philippine Islands were discovered by Magellen in 1521, and claimed by Spain. The first successful settlements were made in 1565. Although the Spanish rulers did not generally mix with the local populace, the Spanish language, religion and customs were imposed on the Filipinos. The original peoples were largely Malay and Indonesian tribes, Negritos The earliest inhabitants were Negritos, sometimes called Pygmies and mainly Chinese merchants.

The influence of Muslim traders and teachers was felt in the Philippines as early as the 11th century. By the 14th century many Filipinos in the southern areas had been converted to Islam. They were called Moros by the Spanish. The Spanish were not able to fully contain the Moros until the latter half of the 19th century. In the early period the colony was quite isolated from Spain, which led to near autonomy by the colonial leaders. The population was converted to Roman Catholicism, and a strong centralized government with considerable clerical influence developed. Filipino groups Tagalog, Visayan, Bikol, Ilokano, Igorot, Ifugao, Tinggian, Bukidnon, Bagobo, still maintained their identity and languages, but Spanish was introduced throughout the country. Trade restrictions were eased in the 19th century creating a wave of prosperity. Chinese immigration increased dramatically during this period as did Spanish emigration from the newly independent countries of Latin America.

Filipino desire for independence led to numerous uprisings. The most important of these began in 1896 and continued until the United States defeated Spain in 1898 in the Spanish-American War. Independence was declared at that time, but the terms of the treaty of Paris in 1898 ceded the Islands to the United States. The War of Resistance from 1899 to 1902 against U.S. rule is now referred to by many Filipinos as the Philippine-American War.

Although the insurrection was crushed by the United States, the U.S. declared that its administration was temporary, and had as its goal the development of a free and democratic government. Public education, sound legal systems, and a bicameral legislature were implemented and civil service was gradually taken over by Filipinos. The English language was used in official documents during this time period and in 1935 a ten year transition period was established, and although interrupted by World War II, when the Philippines was taken over by Japan in 1942 to 1944, the United States and the Philippines decided to move forward with plans for independence. The country suffered great damage and complete organizational breakdown during the war in which over a million Filipinos lost their lives. On July 4, 1946 the Philippine Islands became the independent Republic of the Philippines.

The Philippine Islands were discovered by Magellen in 1521, and claimed by Spain. The first successful settlements were made in 1565. Although the Spanish rulers did not generally mix with the local populace, the Spanish language, religion and customs were imposed on the Filipinos. The original peoples were largely Malay and Indonesian tribes, Negritos The earliest inhabitants were Negritos, sometimes called Pygmies and mainly Chinese merchants.

The influence of Muslim traders and teachers was felt in the Philippines as early as the 11th century. By the 14th century many Filipinos in the southern areas had been converted to Islam. They were called Moros by the Spanish. The Spanish were not able to fully contain the Moros until the latter half of the 19th century. In the early period the colony was quite isolated from Spain, which led to near autonomy by the colonial leaders. The population was converted to Roman Catholicism, and a strong centralized government with considerable clerical influence developed. Filipino groups Tagalog, Visayan, Bikol, Ilokano, Igorot, Ifugao, Tinggian, Bukidnon, Bagobo, still maintained their identity and languages, but Spanish was introduced throughout the country. Trade restrictions were eased in the 19th century creating a wave of prosperity. Chinese immigration increased dramatically during this period as did Spanish emigration from the newly independent countries of Latin America.

Filipino desire for independence led to numerous uprisings. The most important of these began in 1896 and continued until the United States defeated Spain in 1898 in the Spanish-American War. Independence was declared at that time, but the terms of the treaty of Paris in 1898 ceded the Islands to the United States. The War of Resistance from 1899 to 1902 against U.S. rule is now referred to by many Filipinos as the Philippine-American War.

Although the insurrection was crushed by the United States, the U.S. declared that its administration was temporary, and had as its goal the development of a free and democratic government. Public education, sound legal systems, and a bicameral legislature were implemented and civil service was gradually taken over by Filipinos. The English language was used in official documents during this time period and in 1935 a ten year transition period was established, and although interrupted by World War II, when the Philippines was taken over by Japan in 1942 to 1944, the United States and the Philippines decided to move forward with plans for independence. The country suffered great damage and complete organizational breakdown during the war in which over a million Filipinos lost their lives. On July 4, 1946 the Philippine Islands became the independent Republic of the Philippines.

Source: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Philippines\_History\#:~:text\=The%20Philippine%20Islands%20were%20discovered,were%20imposed%20on%20the%20Filipinos.

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